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Make a Difference

Individuals and companies can make a difference! Your time, talent, and treasure support our work to end domestic violence in Delaware.

Did You Know?

Worldwide, a woman is battered by an intimate partner every 15 seconds. That’s approximately 5,760 battered women every single day.

1 out of every 4 women will experience some form of domestic violence in her lifetime.

Women and girls are more likely to be killed by male partners than any other class of individuals.

Police in Delaware respond to over 75 domestic violence calls each day.

The cost of domestic violence to the US economy is more than $8.3 billion. This cost includes medical care, mental health services, and lost productivity.

Approximately 8.8 million children witness domestic violence every year. Of men who abuse women, 40-60% abuse children as well.

The prevalence of domestic violence among Gay and Lesbian couples is approximately 25 - 33%.

Each year, an estimated 3.3 million children are exposed to violence by family members against their mothers or female caretakers.

During the six months following an episode of domestic violence, 32% of battered women are victimized again. Short term (6-12 week) psycho-educational batterer-intervention programs helped some batterers stop immediate physical violence but were inadequate in stopping abuse over time.

Obstacles faced by battered immigrant women include: a distrust of the legal system arising from their experiences with the system in their native countries; cultural and language barriers; and fear of deportation.

15 - 50% of abused women report interference from their partner with education, training or work.

Abused (past or current) welfare recipients experience higher levels of health or mental health problems such as a physical disability, or serious or acute depression.

Immigrant women may suffer higher rates of battering than U.S. citizens because they come from cultures which accept domestic violence.

A battered woman who is not a legal resident, or whose immigration status depends on her partner, is isolated by cultural dynamics which may prevent her from leaving her husband or seeking assistance from the legal system.

Many battered Gays or Lesbians fight back to defend themselves - it is a myth that same-sex battering is mutual.

Seven states define domestic violence in a way that excludes same-sex victims; 21 states have sodomy laws that may require same-sex victims to confess to a crime in order to prove they are in a domestic relationship.

The chance of being victimized by an intimate partner is 10 times greater for a woman than a man.

Women are seven to 14 times more likely than men to report suffering severe assaults from an intimate partner.

26% of pregnant teens reported being physically abused by their boyfriends. About half of them said the battering began or intensified after he learned of her pregnancy.

Approximately 50% of female victims of domestic violence live in households with children under age 12.

Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.

Awareness and Collaboration

DCADV is committed to sharing important information with victims and the community at large and engaging and partnering with individuals and organizations to help achieve our mission to end domestic violence in Delaware. Read more about our efforts:

Awareness

Public education is a cornerstone of DCADV's mission and advocacy. DCADV believes that it is imperative to increase public awareness about the terrible cost of domestic violence in our country, where it's estimated that one in four women will be victimized in her lifetime.

DCADV engages in public education initiatives that are aimed at raising awareness in the community and providing information regarding the services and resources available to victims needing help.

As part of our mission and outreach efforts, DCADV also supports both the Women of Color Task Force (WOCTF) and WEAVER (Women Empowered Against Abuse in Every Relationship, a survivors' task force) to help ensure that our work reflects both the diverse communities we serve and the victims we seek to empower. The WOCTF has dedicated many hours to providing training on domestic violence for faith communities in Delaware and helps inform our work in communities of color. WEAVER represents a vital voice for victims and survivors, helps raise awareness in the community with a specific focus on victims, and informs both the community and service providers about the needs of domestic violence victims.

Each October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DCADV, along with its member organizations and government and corporate partners, engages in public education activities intended to raise public awareness and commitment with regard to addressing domestic violence in our society.

Outreach to Media

DCADV has held numerous press conferences to raise awareness about domestic violence over the years, has sponsored outdoor media, conducted print and broadcast interviews, produced and implemented PR campaigns, and delivered speeches to key audiences around the state. Communications staff also regularly send press releases about DCADV and related initiatives and occasionally submit Op Ed pieces on issues related to violence against women. Read about DCADV’s News and Media efforts.

Special Exhibits

Silent Witness Project

Since 1996, DCADV has been involved with the national Silent Witness Project to remember those murdered in acts of domestic violence. Delaware's exhibit includes life-size silhouettes of 14 victims of domestic violence who died in 1995, as well as one "universal" figure intended to represent all Delaware victims of domestic homicide. The exhibit is frequently on display at various locations, including hospitals, police trainings, news conferences, and resource fairs. Read more about the Silent Witness Project.

Presentations and Trainings

DCADV staff and volunteers are often invited to speak at events like press conferences, the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation, and meetings, conventions, and conferences, as well as to workplaces, colleges, churches, civic associations, and other community groups. We can address the general issue and signs of domestic violence, how your workplace or group can get involved, or tailor a more specific message for the needs of your group.

If you would like a speaker or trainer for your group or an upcoming event, please contact DCADV at 302.658.2958 or 800.701.0456 or email dcadvadmin@dcadv.org.

Resource Tables

DCADV is also frequently invited to provide information and expertise at conferences, expos, meetings, and events. If your organization would like to include DCADV literature and/or a DCADV resource table staffed by a staff, board member, or volunteer at your event, please contact DCADV at 302.658.2958 or 800.701.0456 or email dcadvadmin@dcadv.org.

Resources and Information for Victims

Many of our public information materials include the local domestic violence hotline numbers, which are the best first steps for a victim needing information and support. In addition, DCADV provides referrals and technical assistance for victims and service providers working with victims to help individuals connect with the resources most appropriate to their situations.

Resource materials are available upon request or by printing are below:

Resource Cards are plastic, durable, discrete, and can fit in a shoe or wallet. Contact us for one or many of these important cards with phone numbers for service providers throughout the state.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Each October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), DCADV participates in a number of activities to help raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence. The purple ribbon is the symbol of this month and this issue.

Collaboration

DCADV has a long history of working collaboratively at local, regional, and national levels on efforts to improve Delaware’s system response to victims and abusers. DCADV staff serve on dozens of committees to ensure that the safety and empowerment of victims is paramount, and that offenders are held accountable. Recent and current examples are listed below. DCADV staff:

support and participate in a number of committees, events, and initiatives hosted by partners, including the Victims’ Rights Task Force, Domestic Violence Task Force, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Christiana Care, University of Delaware, Contact Lifeline, NAMI Delaware, Criminal Justice Council, and Department of Health and Social Services

work with the Division of Public Health to deepen collaborative efforts around prevention and other issues such as maternal/child health

work with the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Consortium to focus on engaging men and providing healthy relationships education

engage in an eight-state collaborative involving the National Center on DV, Trauma and Mental Health and focus on improving the mental health community’s response to domestic violence

worked with a multidisciplinary data workgroup led by the University of Delaware's Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies on the 2010 Delaware School Survey related to dating violence

work with 13 other State Coalitions as part of the CDC-funded DELTA national collaborative, and as part of the national DELTA Prep program, DCADV served as a mentor to other funded Coalitions in the mid-Atlantic region pursuing prevention initiatives

partner with Delaware’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to help mental health providers incorporate a trauma-informed approach when working with victims of domestic violence

serve on the Division of Family Services Advocacy and Advisory Committee and the Teen Reporting and Confidentiality Workgroup of the CPAC Abuse Intervention Subcommittee

serve on the Delaware Coalition on Health and Justice, to better serve women who are engaged in prostitution, many of whom are victims of DV/IVP and to enhance the trauma-informed capacity of Delaware’s probation system

participated in a two-day shelter accessibility meeting sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and NNEDV to make recommendations to make shelters more accessible and welcoming to all survivors seeking services

work with the Office on Violence Against Women and staff at the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Justice on state and national issues, including serving on the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women

serve on the Program Committee of the National Network to End Domestic Violence